McLaren's pace in Japan practice has left many in the paddock surprised, particularly Mercedes, who had expected to dominate the session. However, McLaren's Lando Norris was not as confident, citing a lack of laps and a poor start to the weekend due to aerodynamic testing. Norris felt he was two or three steps behind in terms of set-up and was struggling to gain confidence at the Suzuka circuit.
The session was not without its challenges, as several drivers encountered technical issues. Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad was forced to miss the second session due to a gearbox problem, while Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto spent a significant amount of time in the garage with an unspecified technical issue. Cadillac's Sergio Perez also had a disrupted session, missing about half the time while the team repaired floor damage caused by a collision with Williams' Alex Albon.
Despite the challenges, McLaren's Oscar Piastri was next fastest behind Mercedes' George Russell and Antonio Felix da Costa, with a average lap time 0.25secs slower than da Costa and 0.5secs off Russell. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc struggled with grip, suffering wobbles through the Esses and running off track at Spoon Curve.
George Russell's pace in the second session has sent a clear message that Mercedes are still the team to beat in Japan. However, McLaren's strong showing has raised hopes that they can challenge for pole position, especially if they can iron out their set-up issues. The competitive picture is set to be a close one, with Ferrari still struggling to find grip at the Suzuka circuit.
